Fire-escape.



R.L.BALL

FIRE ESCAPE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1914. Lm Patented Apr. 13, 1915.

Rs COA. PHO'Iv-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

RALPH L. BALL, OF SUTH BERWICK, MAINE.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

Massale.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 13, 1915.,

Application filed July 20, 1914. Serial No. 851.992.

in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

rlhis invention relates to a fire escape, and more particularly to a device of this character embodying a belt adapted to be attached to the body of the user and carrying a device operatively engaged over a rope or a cable whereby the movement of the device downwardly on the rope or cable may be easily controlled.

The invention has for its object to provide a device of this character of improved and simplilied construction whichY may be conveniently carried about from place to place by the user.

Another object is the provision of simple and reliably efcient means for retarding the movement of the device on a cable.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts as will be hereinafter specifically described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the complete fire escape. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail sectional view of the means for retarding the movement of the device on a cable. Fig. 3 represents a similar view taken at right angles to Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 represents a transverse sectional view on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 indicates generally the side members of a frame structure including a plurality of transversely arranged and spaced pins or bolts 6 securing the side or longitudinal members 5 in spaced relation. The lower extremities of the side members 5 are reduced in width as indicated at 7 to provide an adequate hand hold, whereby said lower extremities may be drawn. together for a purpose which willhereinafter appear.

Slots 8 are formed transversely in the lower extremities of the side members 5 below the hand holds 7 and are connected with straps 9 of leather or other suitable material having their opposite extremities looped, as i indicated at 10, to receive a belt 1l provided at one end with a buckle 12 and at the opposite end with a plurality ofv eyes 18 whereby the belt may be secured to the body of the user.

The outer member 14 of the rope or cablegripping device is secured to the inner face of the lower extremity of one of the side members 5 and projects inwardly toward the other side member. The outer member 14 is preferably of cylindrical formation and is provided with a concentric recess 15 receiving the cylindrical member 16 carried by the outer side member 5. The outer member 14 is provided in the wall of the recess 5 adjacent the inner end of the latter with openings 17 alined longitudinally of the frame structure and receiving the rope or cable 18, which latter, if desired, may be provided at one end with a hook or similar device adapted to be secured to a stationary object when the device is brought into use. The end of the inner member 16 is formed with a V- shaped notch 20 in which is engaged the rope or cable 18, whereby when the side members 5 of the frame are brought together by grasping the hand hold 7 thereof the inner member 16 moves inwardly within the outer member 14 firmly wedging the cable or rope 18 within the recess or notch 20 and thus retarding the movement of fire escape downwardly on said rope or cable. rlhe movement of the frame structure on the rope or cable 18 is further retarded by the peculiar arrangement of the latter around the several pins or bolts 6 in the upper portion of said frame.

What I claim is:

1. A fire escape comprising a frame struc` ture including spaced side members, bolts connecting the upper portions of said side members, a cable extending between said side members and over said bolts, the lower portions of said side members being reduced in width to provide a hand hold, telescoping members secured to the lower extremities of said side members, one of said telescoping members having an opening therethrough receiving said cable, whereby when the other telescoping member is moved inwardly the cable is forcibly gripped, and means for attaching said frame to the body.

'2. A' re escape comprising atV frame struc` ture including. spaced side members; bolts connecting the upper portions ofsaidside members, a cable extending'between said side members and over said bolts, telescop-v ing members securedv to the lower extremi- A ties of saidfside members, the outertelescop-V ing member having openingstherethrough receiving said cable, and the inner telescop-l iHe-'memboer heme e, recess therein receivf Copies o fv'thispatent may be obtained for RALPH L. BALL.

Witnesses:

CARRIE H. REDMAN, Lois FREEMAN.

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